The Rapprochement between Muslims Christians and Jews

The growth of Islam is also reflected in the recent growth of interfaith dialogue. These dialogues start by stating that the three monotheistic religions have a common beginning and can come together at a common point. Such dialogues have been quite successful and have engendered an important rapprochement, especially between Christians and Muslims. In the Qur'an, God informs us that Muslims invite the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to unite on a common ground:

Say: "O People of the Book, come to a proposition that is the same for us and you—that we should worship none but God, and not associate any partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides God." If they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 3: 64)

The three monotheistic religions have common beliefs and the same moral values. Belief in God's Existence and Unity, angels, Prophets, the Last Day, Heaven and Hell are their basic tenets of faith. Furthermore, self-sacrifice, humility, love, tolerance, respect, mercy, honesty, avoiding wrongdoing and injustice, and acting according to conscience are all commonly accepted moral qualities. Therefore, since these three religions are on the same level, they must work together to eradicate the strife, conflict, and pain caused by irreligious ideologies. When considered from this point of view, interfaith dialogue assumes far more importance. The seminars and conferences that bring representatives of these religions together, and the messages of peace and brotherhood that come out of them, have continued regularly since the mid-1990s.

These initiatives have increased since 9/11. After these attacks, various members of the Christian clergy were among the most important advocates of Islam, saying that there is no terror or violence in Islam, and that it is a religion of peace, justice, and tolerance. The Pope, spiritual leader of Roman Catholics, and many other prominent members of the clergy said that Islam and Muslims cannot be held responsible for these attacks. Moreover, not content with this, they asked forgiveness on behalf of those people who held Muslims responsible and tried to harm Muslims.

1. A report entitled "Intercultural Dialogue" in Deutschland magazine gives an account of interfaith dialogue in Germany. These efforts are supported by President Rau.

2. The Pope often speaks about the brotherhood among religions and the importance of dialogue. The Vatican is making efforts in this regard. A report in the Detroit News, entitled "Pope urges religious tolerance," includes statements by the Pope on this matter.

3. In an article in the Telegraph entitled "The Need for Understanding and Tolerance between Islam and the West," Prince Charles stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue.

The Pope Asked Christians to Fast

One notable interfaith moment occurred when the Pope invited Christians to fast with Muslims on the last Friday of Ramadan. A report issued by the Vatican said:

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has declared December 14th to be a day of fasting, a prayer, and charity throughout the world, begging for peace, as he indicated in his Angelus message of November 18, 2001: "Each of us who goes without by fasting will be taking on the disposition of the poor, especially those who suffer at present the consequences of terrorism and war."81

This request was immediately put into effect, and on Friday, December 14, prominent Christian leaders visited mosques for Friday prayers and prayed with Muslims. One of these people was the Cardinal Archbishop of Detroit. In his Friday speech at one of Detroit's largest mosques, the Cardinal said:

I thank you for the gracious invitation to share these sacred hours of Ramadan with you and the congregation. I am especially pleased to be with you on this Friday, December 14, as the Catholic Church throughout the world unites itself in solidarity with Muslim believers everywhere in special prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for world peace and for the healing of all who suffer the effects of war and terrorism. . . The events of September 11 remind us that not only have technology and economy become global, but insecurities, fears, violence, injustice, and war have also become global! As the Pope has explained, what we need now is a response of what he calls "globalized charity" .… In the name of all the Catholics of metro Detroit, I offer my apologies and sympathy for any way in which members of our Church have ever offended you by remarks or attitudes of prejudice, anger, or violence.82

1. An appeal to the world from the Pope to fast
2. The whole world will hold a fast

The last Friday of Ramadan 2001, Pope John Paul II declared December 14th to be a day of fasting, prayer, and charity throughout the world.

At services on the following Sunday, Muslims prayed for all those who had been affected by terror and war. Perhaps for the first time in history, many Christian services began with a reading from the Qur'an. In a Detroit church this prayer was said:

Let us lift our minds and hearts to God as we pray for all those who have died because of terrorism; may the Lord grant healing and peace to their families… We ask that the Lord rekindle within us hope for a new beginning as one human family. May we together receive and share God's forgiveness and mercy. To the merciful and almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, we submit ourselves in all humility and gratitude.83

Afterwards, before the reading of the Gospel, Surat al-Fatiha was recited to the congregation. This certainly was an extraordinary occasion, and a sign that a very important period has begun. This rapprochement is an important stage of the spread of religious morality throughout the world.

A Meeting in Brussels on "The Peace of God in the World"

A December 2001 meeting in Brussels, organized by Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, and the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos was attended by more than 80 members of the clergy. Participants expressed that it is absolutely essential for the three religions to work together for world peace. The final report began with this sentence: "The will of God is for the peace of heaven to reign on earth." The following words also are of interest: "We unanimously reject the assumption that religion contributes to an inevitable clash of civilizations. On the contrary we affirm the constructive and instructive role of religion in the dialogue among civilizations."1

Brussels declaration: Extremists do not reflect any religion
1- http://www.orthodoxa.org/patriarcat/documents/BrusselsDeclaration.htm

A Joint Statement of the German Clergy

More than 200 Religious Leaders Gathered at Assisi

In a meeting held in Germany's Fatih Mosque, representatives of the three religions prayed for those who lost their lives on 9/11. The message delivered was that religious morality deplores terror, and that peace can be established only when people live their lives according to religious morality.

On the Pope's invitation, as many as 200 religious leaders gathered in the Italian city of Assisi and prayed for world peace. About 5,000 people attended. In his address, the Pope said that violence and fanaticism were alien to religion and, if the world is to have a long-lasting peace, it was necessary to foster justice and forgiveness.

1. 12 different religious representatives pray for peace in Rome
2. Religious leaders will pray for world peace
3. An appeal from John Paul II for all religions to meet

The BBC provided general information about the meeting in a report called "Pope calls Assisi peace meeting."

Members of the Christian Clergy Turn to Islam

A Pope Visits A Mosque for the First Time in History

Abbé Pierre, selected as France's favorite clergyman, said he began to read the Qur'an after 9/11, and that it was a wonderful book. In an interview with the French magazine Le Point, he explained:

Islam has preserved the deeds and actions that strengthen religious faith and connect people with God. This is demonstrated by the simultaneous and sincere prostrations performed in God's presence by thousands of people following the month of Ramadan. In our schools they tell us about the glory and the importance of the Crusades. But later we learned how shameful these crusades were. Crusaders committed terrible crimes and sins along the way.

Pope John Paul II's visit to Syria's Umayyad Mosque in 2001 was the first papal visit to a mosque ever.

On his 2001 Middle East tour, as a sign of respect, the Pope kissed the Qur'an given to him as a gift by Muslim clergyman.

1. The Pope went to a mosque
2. Yesterday for the first time a Pope went to a mosque

In his article in the Telegraph, Catholic priest David McLaurin said that Islam preserves the purity and sincerity that Christianity has lost and that this is why many people are turning to it.

After 9/11 I started to read the Qur'an

God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.(Qur’an, 60:8)

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